When Texas legislators passed a law in 2013 that sharply reduced standardized testing for public high school students, they included a provision aimed at easing the pressure of high-stakes exams for students in lower grades as well.

But a year later, the provision that was written to curb the time educators spent preparing students for standardized tests instead of teaching may not have had the intended effect.

“The change in law was well intentioned, but there is still constant test prep going on,” said Stacey Amick, a parent of two children in the Lewisville Independent School District near Dallas. “But ...

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Comments (5)

April 28, 2014 @ 7:41 a.m.

Thomas Ratliff

Until the state's accountability system de-emphasizes the results of these tests, teachers will continue to focus on the results of those tests. It's simple human nature. Anyone, when told how they will be measured as a success or a failure, will focus on those things measured.

Professional golfers practice golf shots because that's how they are measured (score). I don't hear people criticizing them for going to the driving range.

If you want school districts to focus on a broad range of things related to kids instead of just the tests, then put those things in the accountability system. It's really not complicated. It's ironic that the state is trying to tell educators to stop focusing on the very thing the state is focused on - test scores. You're trying to solve the wrong problem. The problem isn't the tests, the problem is the state and federal stakes riding on the outcome of the tests. That's why everyone from school boards down to the students stress out about these tests.

I've never spoken to anyone who opposes tests or accountability. What we oppose is the ridiculous emphasis and myopic attention given to the results.

April 28, 2014 @ 7:43 a.m.

Stacey Amick

Great article, Morgan. I just want to clarify a little. Emphasis on test prep will continue until tests are diagnostic in nature, without the high stakes attached, and without testing items that are intentionally confusing, often with more than one correct answer. TEA's recent remarks even imply that teaching to the test is an expectation for STAAR scores to improve. I do wish that schools and teachers would abandon all the prep and just focus on instruction, but it's no wonder they feel they have to prep the students in this manner with the current deeply flawed testing environment.

April 28, 2014 @ 7:52 a.m.

Stacey Amick

Thomas, I agree! And I would say the problem is both the stakes AND the nature of the testing items. As long as students, teachers, and schools are punished based on scores, test prep will continue. As long as those testing items are intentionally confusing, with all the built in "distractors" and kids having to pick from more than one right answer, schools will still want to keep teaching "test-taking strategies."

April 28, 2014 @ 7:35 p.m.

Michael Elliot

34,000 New York children refused to take the ELA state tests. Many more will choose to refuse the math, especially now that principals and educators are speaking up. Watch and spread the video. Parents have a right to refuse!

http://youtu.be/2ayYajsQjg8

April 29, 2014 @ 9:58 a.m.

Katherine Bravo

My campus in San Antonio ISD has just finished the latest round of testing. Teachers were required to follow a script for many days of relentless practice. Many classes did not have recess or library time as that would interrupt practice. The district testing overseers patrol the campus to check the integrity of the monitors & the handling of these sacred papers.The testing mania has taken over creative teaching, management decision making and school as a learning environment. It also wastes tax payers money as this time also requires many substitutes and district and TEA observers.How much more statistical information do we need to stop this? Are there no adults left in the room?